Named in honor of Charles Darwin, the father of evolution, Darwin Awards commemorate those who improve our gene pool by removing themselves from it.

Snake Charmer?
1999 Darwin Award Nominee
Unconfirmed by Darwin

(May 1999, Thailand) A man known for his snake catching and charming skills was called to a neighbor's home. They needed an emergency exorcism of a python, which had invaded their dwelling. Hie, 55, rushed into the house in the northern provoke of Uttaradit, and emerged victorious with the snake held aloft in a burlap sack.

He was walking home with the snake, when villagers ran into him and asked to see the python. He pulled the snake from the sack and boldly wrapped it around his neck. The wild python, a five-foot-long coil of solid muscle, constricted around him and began to strangle him.

He screamed for help vainly, for the petrified villagers were afraid to approach the serpent. Within minutes, Hie fell to the ground dead. Local policemen forcibly unwrapped the snake from his neck and placed it in captivity.

The following excerpt (now known to be an Urban Legend) is purportedly
from the US Government Peace Corps Manual for volunteers working in the
Amazon Jungle. It details what to do if an anaconda attacks you. Related
to the boa constrictor, the anaconda is the largest snake species in the
world. It grows to thirty-five feet in length and weighs 300 to 400 pounds.

1. If you are attacked by an anaconda, do not run. The snake is faster than
you are.

6. After the snake has examined you, it will begin to swallow you from the
feet end - always from the feet end. Permit the snake to swallow your feet
and ankles. Do not panic!

7. The snake will now begin to suck your legs into its body. You must lie
perfectly still. This will take a long time.

8. When the snake has reached your knees slowly and with as little movement
as possible, reach down, take your knife and very gently slide it into the
side of the snake's mouth between the edge of its mouth and your leg, then
suddenly rip upwards, severing the snake's head.

9. Be sure you have your knife.

10. Be sure your knife is sharp.

Todd Cook says:
"As an informed Herpetologist, I can tell you that this is not
true. Anacondas, boa constrictors and pythons swallow from the head down
99% of the time, almost always after constricting the prey to death. Even
if a snake finds a dead animal it will often constrict it to make sure it
is dead before eating it."